From Timely to Timeless
A look back before the next chapter begins
As 2023 draws to a close, I'm doing some end-of-year housekeeping and reflection on my work over the past 12 months. In January, I committed to writing this newsletter for a year, which is now coming to an end. I'm also at an inflection point with Your Tech Maven brand, as I shift away from “done for you” and “done with you” tech help desk services and toward software reviews, tutorials, and educational content creation.
In that spirit, I've decided to review all my past newsletter editions both on Substack and LinkedIn, and to permanently delete its early home on Curated.
Retiring the replay
Just as I limit access to recordings of my virtual events, some newsletter editions were timely dispatches rather than evergreen analyses.
As I’ve previously shared, I sometimes write with the time pressure and off the cuff. But just as the raw energy of a live virtual event can't be perfectly captured in a recording, my weekly dispatches don’t always stand the test of time. The newsletter is like a weekly virtual event - full of vibrancy but not necessarily built to last.
Elevating the evergreen
As 2023 ends and Your Tech Maven finds a new direction, curating my favorite writings for relaunch just feels right. I'll be critically re-examining my past writings over the next few weeks.
I can't guarantee everything will remain easily available. My goal is to thoughtfully collect and rework pieces that have retained their relevance. Just as I don't leave a shaky, umm-filled virtual event recording up forever, I aim to smooth out and enhance my "evergreen" articles before sharing them more widely.
Channeling hindsight
If you are not embarrassed by the first version of your product, you’ve launched too late.
-Reid Hoffman
Some past pieces are sure to make me cringe! My hope is to rework and relaunch some of my writings as ebooks and videos, in-depth resources for my website, or simply as improved editions within the newsletter archives.
Where it all began
I committed to delivering this newsletter for a year, which is now ending. Before the next chapter, a little retrospective is in order to curate highlights.
Think of it like unearthing buried treasure. I'm polishing these gems, editing out the "ums" and refining the language. And guess what? They're graduating to a new home – my very own website! No more digital tenancy on platforms like LinkedIn or Substack.
This might raise some eyebrows, especially with the SEO gurus. Broken links are the worst. I get it! Removing content can have its downsides.
But here's the thing: I'd rather have a curated collection of evergreen classics on my own turf than a cluttered archive scattered across the web.
Looking ahead
In 2024, I'll be taking Your Tech Maven in a new direction, focused on software reviews over tech support services. I'm excited to see how far I’ve come and to unlock fresh value from the vault.
This "archive audit" isn't just about housekeeping – it's about finding my throughline and connecting the dots, uncovering the foundation that I will be building on for years to come.
Of course, this isn't just a “me” show. I need your help, dear readers! Tell me which past articles you hold dear. What deserves a second life on my website?
Questions for you:
Are there any past articles or topics I've covered that you found particularly insightful or worth revisiting?
What topics or themes should I focus on in future newsletters?
Got questions about the archive overhaul or my vision for the future of Tech Maven Weekly?
Your feedback will help guide my curation efforts. Thanks as always for coming along on the journey with me!
3 Things
Speaking of live events: I’m doing a talk about the changes in authentication requirements that will impact email marketers of all stripes in 2024! Please register and share with a fellow business owner.
If you’re using Gmail, they’re focusing on combating holiday scams, among all the other spam they deal with. Even if you don’t use Gmail, get educated!
Tis once again the season for…layoffs. My LinkedIn feed is filled with sad posts. Just as with other condolences, you might not know what to say.